Calaveras County Public Health Department News Release

Chickenpox Alert Issued by

Calaveras Public Health Department

The Calaveras County Public Health Department has issued an alert that chickenpox is occurring in the County. Seven cases of chickenpox have been reported in 2011. One infant was hospitalized and is now recovering at home. Cases have occurred in four elementary and secondary school students.

“The Public Health Department is recommending that all parents check the immunization records of their children and teenagers,” advised Dr. Dean Kelaita, County Health Officer. Children over age 12 months should have at least one dose of varicella vaccine, the vaccine that prevents chickenpox. Two doses of vaccine are recommended for children, adolescents and adults.

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Chickenpox is a highly infectious rash illness caused by a virus. Chickenpox causes a generalized itchy rash that develops into blister-like lesions.  The rash is concentrated on the face, scalp and trunk. Most infected persons also have a fever. Chickenpox is spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing from an infected person or direct contact with blisters. The illness can be severe in newborns, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems, resulting in serious or life threatening complications. Parents who think their child may have chickenpox should keep them home from child care or school until all the blisters have turned to small scabs (this can take a couple of weeks) and contact their doctor or clinic.

Prior to the use of varicella vaccine, about 10,600 people in the U.S. were hospitalized for chickenpox each year. “Assuring your children are vaccinated protects them and limits the potential for the spread of disease in schools and communities,” Kelaita said. Adults and teenagers who get chickenpox usually are more seriously ill than young children. “Because it is not possible to predict who will have a serious or even deadly case of chickenpox, vaccination is the best protection,” Dr. Kelaita added.

Vaccine against chickenpox and other diseases is available from the Public Health Department. The community immunization clinic schedule is available at www.calaveras.publichealth.com or by calling 754-6460. No one is turned away from vaccine clinics for inability to pay.

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